Great escapes: The world's most beautiful contemporary cottages

Award-winning architecture probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the word "cottage." More likely, it conjures images of quaint countryside dwellings -- rustic abodes in Cape Cod, thatched roofs in England, and modest oceanside retreats in Sweden.

1/22 – Hyunam (A Black Cottage), South Korea

This retreat in South Korea, designed by IROJE Architects & Planners, has an all-glass contemplation room that offers unobstructed views of the mountains, as well as an open-air meditation pavilion on the roof. Credit: IROJE Architects & Planners

First emerging in medieval England between the 5th and 15th centuries, the word "cottage" refers to a home for cotters, peasants who worked on farms in the countryside.

The more familiar style of rustic cottage architecture, typically made with heavy stones or wood, emerged in the 18th century.

But quaint and cozy is no longer the order of the day. As more and more city dwellers look for a refuge to relax and recharge, cottages all over the world are getting sophisticated, environmentally sensitive makeovers.

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More than half the world now lives in a city -- but plenty of us are trying to escape to the country. Whether it's for a weekend retreat or a summer among the pines, the world of design is ready to cater to the most discerning tastes.Pictured: The Bands, Nordland, Norway, by Scarcity and Creativity Studio & Oslo School of Architecture and Design -- This cabin is made from Siberian larch wood, and features a sundeck, a sauna, and a space specifically designed for cleaning fish. Credit: »By Scarcity and Creativity Studio & Oslo School of Architecture and Design, from The Hinterland, Copyright Gestalten 2016«

"Contemporary taste calls for a lighter touch and a stronger connection between nature, the materials, and the architecture itself," says Charles-Bernard Gagnon, principal architect of Quebec City-based Cargo Architecture.

The getaway plan

Toronto firm Superkül is one of many firms answering the call for off-the-grid hideaways.

"Cottages are destinations of the heart, and those fortunate enough to own them really let their hair down in these rural properties," says co-principal architect Meg Graham.

"Immersion in nature and the larger landscape is critical (for people) to recharge and refresh, to see things in a new light."

The owners requested a home that would tread lightly on the land, so Graham and Andre D'Elia designed the 2,000-square-foot property on a natural clearing without destroying any vegetation.

Graham says the cedar cladding exterior will eventually fade to a silvery gray that echoes the colors of the landscape.

"Architectural expression of cottages is freer, and there is a greater variety and diversity of form," says Graham. "The focus has shifted outward, and people want to watch and feel like part of the change in seasons and skies."